..”When in that quiet aisle my feet have trod I have found peace among the silver trees,…” Andrew Greeley Although not all birch bark is white, in the winter season we often see the bark from the white or silver birch species wired into wreaths. The bark is perceptible as thin, papery plates of peelingContinue reading “Birch”
Tag Archives: outdoors
Oak
“This oak tree and I , we’re made of the same stuff.” Carl Sagan As part of the Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice, I am reposting this essay that I wrote in 2021. It is published here on my blog page and in the Plants and Poetry Journal anthology, Plant People: An AnthologyContinue reading “Oak”
Holly
“Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.” From The Holly and the Ivy , a song by Andrew Peterson If conifers represent the peace and beauty of the winter season, then holly heralds as the protector. It is the sanctioned species of plant in the time of lesseningContinue reading “Holly”
Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice
The pine stays green in winter…wisdom in hardship. Norman Douglas The time between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice is my favorite time of the year. The days decrease in their duration of darkness until we celebrate the return of the Sun and the stretching of solar seconds, lengthening our lot of light. MyContinue reading “Pondering the Plants of the Winter Solstice”
Hidden Life
“Three things cannot long be hidden: the Sun, the Moon, and the Truth” Buddha Since November 2021, I have felt hidden away. My life has unfolded in moments of overwhelming joy, undulating uncertainty, quiet solitude, and a significant shift in the path to fulfilling my purpose. Life has been so busy and my seclusion hasContinue reading “Hidden Life”
Sanctuary
“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees” John Muir In Latin, the word “solstice” mean “sun stands still.” On this longest night of the year, I pause to ponder the solemnity of the darkness and honor the sacredness of nature’s cycles. For as long as I can remember, nature has beenContinue reading “Sanctuary”
Sojourn
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver Two months have passed since my father died. I have spent many hours in solitude mourning the loss of his physical presence, reminiscing with old photos, reflecting on his generous spirit, quiet creativity, conscience connections with others,Continue reading “Sojourn”
Seeds
“Transformation comes from within and seeds have mastered the art.” – Scott Chaskey Angiosperms, flowering plants, and gymnosperms, cone-bearing plants, are the two groups of plants that produce seeds. Angiosperms usually produce a fruit. Both groups reproduce sexually and most flowers contain both the male and female reproductive structures. The male reproductive part is theContinue reading “Seeds”